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Mar

How to Dispute Experian Online

We’re going step by step, in this article, thru the process of how to file an Experian dispute online. First the good news, every single year Experian removes millions of negative items from consumer’s credit reports, so you can do this.

There are a number of ways to file an Experian dispute online, even if you only have a paper copy of your credit report. However we’re going to assume you’re starting from scratch and as such, you’re entitled to a free copy of your Experian credit report, once a year, and can request this by visiting: AnnualCreditReport.com.

We’re going to access your Experian online credit report, however if you only have a paper credit report, you can still file an online credit dispute by visiting: experian.com/upload. You can also obtain a free copy of your report, if you’ve received notice of adverse action, as in were denied for financing.

The next screen will be your actual Experian credit report. It’ll be divided into sections by your personal information, accounts in good standing, potentially negative items, inquires, etc. For virtually every piece of information in these sections, you can dispute it.

For most folks, we can concentrate on the potentially negative items section, because this is the bad credit information that is causing us to have a low credit score. In this section, you’ll see what the industry calls tradelines. This is each account, and the corresponding information such as balance, dates, status, etc.

In each of these tradelines there’s an orange button that says dispute, click this. The screen will drop down and you’ll have to select a reason for your dispute. Reasons include: not your account, paid in full, balance incorrect, and many more.

You’ll also have room to write a note, if you choose, and can upload any supporting information and documents you may have. Next, hit the blue button that says add to cart. You haven’t yet, submitted this dispute request.

If you choose, you can dispute additional items, however you’ll need to access your dispute cart before leaving, circled in the image (to access images see full article by clicking here). Now from here, you’ll review and make sure everything is correct, and then press the submit button, to actually send your Experian dispute online.

Get a FREE credit consultation with a certified FICO professional by calling toll-free 1-877-418-7596.

Investigation

Once Experian gets your dispute, and finds it valid, they’re required to investigate the item. During which they’ll contact the creditor (company reporting the account) by phone, mail, and possibly even with an automated system, and request they verify the account, and the relevant information.

If the item is not verified, then by law, Experian must delete it from your credit report. If it is verified or updated with accurate information it will remain. The investigation may take up to 30 days, and you will be notified of the results.

Frequent Results

It’s virtually guaranteed that your Experian dispute will be deemed frivolous, and they’ll request additional information. As such, no investigation into the item will take place. You should respond and provide the information they request.

However, you need to understand this is standard operating procedure for the credit bureaus, including Experian. And it happens for a variety of reasons, most notably, because Experian is not earning a nickel if they fix your credit report.

They’re actually spending money in time, and resources, and man power to conduct the investigation. The only reason they will investigate is because of federal law, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires them to do so.

This law was passed decades ago, and in response to the fact that millions of American’s have errors on their credit reports. There have been countless studies performed on the accuracy of consumer credit reports, and they all agree, millions of people have errors on their credit file.

And millions of these errors are causing people to have a poor credit score, and unnecessarily. This is why our politicians passed the FCRA. To give you, me, and every consumer the ability to challenge and dispute credit report items that are incorrect, misleading, or made in error.

This legislation says a lot more, notably the maximum amount of time a negative item can remain on your credit reports, seven years. Bankruptcy and tax liens are the few exceptions and can remain for ten years. Did you catch that?

That’s the maximum amount of time a negative item can remain on your credit report. There is no minimum amount of time a negative item must remain. And while you’ve surely heard much ado about so called accurate bad credit and how it must remain on your credit report.

The true test of an item’s accuracy is when the credit bureaus investigate, this is the test. There is no investigation prior to the item being placed on your credit report, you’re assumed guilty. There’s a plethora of false beliefs in the credit repair world, and you need to be cautious of the BS.

Get a FREE credit consultation with a certified FICO professional by calling toll-free 1-877-418-7596.

Who Is Experian Really?

Most people believe Experian is a government agency or is some quasi-legal entity, but they’re not. They’re a for profit business, that you can buy stock in today, who report billions of dollars in sales annually, and are exactly like any big business. They’re naturally interested in profits.

Did you know the credit bureaus are sued all the time by our government both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) both of whom are government agencies? As of writing this article, Experian just paid the CFPB a $3 million settlement for “deceiving consumers.”

All three of the major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) have long histories of being sued by our government for violating consumer rights, and often for not complying with the FCRA. And virtually every year, consumers sue the credit bureaus.

In 2013, Julie Miller sued Equifax and was awarded $18.6 million. She discovered obvious mistakes on her credit report, someone else’s information was appearing, so she followed the FCRA and disputed these items.

For the next two years, Julie’s dispute was found frivolous and more information was requested. She complied and sent them W-2’s, copies of her pay stubs, driver’s license, hair samples, DNA, and any other item they requested, and yes we’re slightly exaggerating.

And nothing happened! She followed the law, she did every last thing by the book, and she still was getting the run around. This is why she was awarded such a substantial sum.

The kicker is in this settlement the damage done to Julie’s life was roughly $200 grand and the rest of the $18 million plus was awarded, to hopefully persuade the other two bureaus, Experian and TransUnion, not to do what Equifax did. This is just one example.

In recent years, 60 Minutes has reported about the credit bureaus and their less than consumer friendly dispute process. In addition to multiple state’s Attorney Generals investigating, and the credit bureaus like they have for decades, claim to have changed their ways. It’s best, we don’t hold our breath.

Wrap Up

We began by sharing Experian removes millions of negative items every year from consumer’s credit reports. How is this possible, and why do other folks say it’s impossible and illegal to remove so called accurate bad credit?

It’s very simple. The system is designed to make you believe it is impossible, and sometimes for folks like Julie Miller it truly is impossible to remove even inaccurate bad credit. The credit bureaus want you to just give up, because they have a clear, vested, financial interest in avoiding an investigation.

This is one of many reasons why we encourage our members to consider legal, affordable, and professional credit help. Because clearing bad credit, is proven to be one of the most effective ways to improve your credit score.

There’s many good firms, one of the best credit repair services, is the Credit Pros. They’ve successfully removed every type of negative item from their client’s credit reports including: late payments, collections, charge offs, judgements, repossessions, liens, and many more.

One of the best features of their service is you’re only responsible for payment when they successfully remove an item from your credit reports. There’s no guarantee or magic credit wands, however if they’re unable to remove an item, you don’t pay a penny.